Tuesday was the start of a new school year in Magoffin County, five months after the area was ravaged by a tornado.

The storm hit the school system hard, but the winds did not damage the spirits of teachers and students.

For most kids, going back to school is not something that's celebrated. At Salyersville Grade School, it's a symbol of progress.

"Our entire story has been that of inspiration," principal Willie Cole said. "Ever since that devastation and that moment of impact on March 2nd when we had the tornado, it kind of puts you in a situation where you're on your heels a little bit."

After the storms shredded the newer elementary school, teachers and students were forced to move into the old grade school building, parts of which are more than 70 years old.

"I kind of got scared to come here," said Kennedy Hoskins, a sixth-grader. "But now i'm starting to like it a lot."

Theresa Miller, a teacher at SGS for 26 years, said, "My students first walked in and I was watching them get their things out of their backpack and it was so sweet. It was just like the first day of any school in our new school. And i just kind of thought 'We're going to be okay.'"

The building was actually not suitable for use until July 27th. That's when 70 volunteers from across the state spruced it up, even giving the hallways a new paint job.

"It's a new experience," said fifth-grader Madison helton. "It's taken a little bit of getting used to, but I think everybody is enjoying being here the first day."

Savannah Whitaker, who is in sixth grade, said, "It's kind of a big change. I mean I'm used to my old school. We've been there for about five years but I can get used to this for a year or so."

"Hey, I like it," said third-grader Case Adkins. "It's really nice. My room is really nice, too."

Once rattled, now resurging. That's Salyersville Grade School.